EARLY EVENING DUMPSTER FIRE SNARLS SHOPPERS AND TRAFFIC

At approximately 1730 hrs on the evening of 12/23, in the height if the holiday shopping rush, Nanuet volunteers were alerted to a dumpster fire in the rear of the Home Goods store in Rockland Center. Upon responding, Chief (8-1) AJ Knapp was advised by 44-Control that an employee observed the dumpster with flames inside of it and that the dumpster was connected to the rear of the building. This creates further problems as responders needed to worry about the spread of smoke and fire into the building.

Upon arrival, Chief Knapp confirmed the fire and immediately requested the assistance of Dept 12 (Pearl River) with a Tower Ladder to assist in case the fire spread into the building. Chief Knapp also relayed his orders to Captain Bill Schoenleber and crews on first responding 8-EQ, advising that the fire was spreading to the building and his crew needed to stretch attack hand lines, get the store evacuated, and prevent the further spread of fire.

The 8-EQ, after operating on scene, was slowly running out water to fight the fire and requested that 8-1500 lay in a supply from a hydrant to feed water to the fire. The 1500 laid its supply from a hydrant adjacent to Posa Poasa restaurant only to find out the hydrant did not work and an alternate water source needed to be found ASAP.

Third responding 8-1750 was going to be that much needed water source, laying a supply line from a hydrant about 1000ft away. With that supply line being in place, and additional personnel from Dept 25 (South Spring Valley) and Dept 12 arriving on scene, the fire was quickly under control.

Units on scene needed to cut open the dumpster with powerful demolition saws so they could extinguish all the fire. The dumpster was pulled away from the building by an excavator operated by Pearl River fireman Ed Beatty. This made accessing all the burning debris easier and extinguishing the fire faster and more efficient.

All units were cleared of the scene with in about 2 hours but all the stores in the area need to remain closed due to the smell of smoke throughout.